Applying for Graduate School

Photo By: Ashley Alonzo

This upcoming Topic Tuesday, brought to you by the Adawe Lifeplan Center, is all about making sure students are ready to plan their next steps toward pursuing their dreamed academic careers. On Sept. 20, Dr. Amber Reagan-Kendrick, Adawe advisor, will present everything there is to know about graduate school. Just in case you can’t attend the workshop, refer to this article as it contains some pointers to guide you through the process.

Reagan-Kendrick puts special emphasis on the timing to learn about graduate school: “Don’t wait until you are juniors and seniors, start early and be competitive.” She believes that many people are not aware of the numerous factors that influence someone’s chance to obtain scholarships, graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships and other academic awards.

Students often believe that waiting until they are seniors in college is the best option, but grades and academic achievements do not build themselves. That is one of the main reasons Reagan-Kendrick thinks it is important to make a decision on graduate school early on in your career. Full rides, fee waving and much more can be awarded when you start early.

Some of the subjects that this Topic Tuesday brings include the basic steps to applying to grad school, the additional costs, fees and tests that students need to be aware of, budget planning for interviews and traveling, application budgets and several pointers as to what expect, such as evaluation of grades, letters of recommendation and cover letters.  

Furthermore, this workshop does not give students worries without the tools to solve them. The Adawe Lifeplan Center works with Career Services, both located in the bottom floor of the administration building, to plan, prepare and help students with all of the requirements for graduate school and other higher education programs.

Events like Resumania are put together for upcoming graduates to start learning the way to their future. Both of these academic centers are on campus to make students’ transitions easier from high school to college and also from college to graduate school. Other events are held to teach students how to do resumes, cover letters and ask for recommendation letters.

Moreover, if students already have a resume and there are no events close by, just stop by their offices and they will be happy to set an appointment to go over those materials with students.

 If you can’t make it this Tuesday, make sure you stop by and have a chat with your advisor about your future. Remember, starting early is the best decision you can make!